The Kennedy Half Century

University of Virginia

About this Course

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When John F. Kennedy entered the presidential limousine at Love Field in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963, he began his ride into history. That journey continues even today and we call it the Kennedy legacy. 
This course will explore the Presidency, assassination, and lasting legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Students will learn how JFK’s life, administration, and tragic death have influenced the general public, the media, and each of the nine U.S. presidents who followed.

Understanding the Kennedy legacy and being able to identify elements of his legacy within the context of modern politics helps understand many of the vexing problems that developed over the last half century as well as many of the challenges that confront us today.    
    
November 22, 1963 was so powerful a moment that in the fifty years since the assassination, every U.S. President that followed JFK has used Kennedy’s words and actions in an effort to craft their own political image. Why does Kennedy’s influence persist, and will it continue? What are the effects? 

We’ll address these questions and more as we explore The Kennedy Half Century. 

Follow on Twitter: @JFKclass.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Flexible deadlines

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Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.53/5 (34 Ratings)

Professor Larry J. Sabato

Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics

Director, UVA Center for Politics

24,321 Learners

1 Course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Offered by

University of Virginia

A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(1,084 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

John F. Kennedy's Rise to Power

2 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 106 min)

9 videos

Introduction19m

JFK: Rise to Power10m

Kennedy's Legislative Career8m

JFK Takes to the National Stage9m

Campaign for the Presidency9m

Religion and Politics17m

The 1960 Debates9m

Heading to Election Day7m

The 1960 Election13m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

The Kennedy Presidency and Assassination

2 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 133 min), 1 reading

11 videos

Kennedy's Inauguration: The Torch is Passed9m

Civil Rights17m

The Space Program6m

Containing Communism: The Bay of Pigs Disaster10m

The Berlin Crisis12m

The Cuban Missile Crisis Part 110m

The Cuban Missile Crisis Part 27m

The Assassination 10m

The Assassination: Parkland Hospital, a New President, & a National Funeral18m

The 50th Anniversary Ceremony in Dallas10m

Oswald20m

1 reading

Resources10m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

The Kennedy Legacy Begins

3 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 161 min)

13 videos

The Assassination: Ballistic Evidence9m

The Assassination: Physical Evidence5m

The Warren Commission14m

The Mysterious Motorcycle20m

The Dictabelt12m

New Information Since the 50th15m

Conspiracy Theories I17m

Conspiracy Theories II12m

President Lyndon Johnson I7m

President Lyndon Johnson II12m

President Lyndon Johnson III10m

President Richard Nixon7m

President Gerald Ford14m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

The Kennedy Effect Over Fifty Years

2 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 113 min)

11 videos

President Jimmy Carter, Part One8m

President Jimmy Carter, Part Two11m

President Ronald Reagan I7m

President Ronald Reagan II7m

President Ronald Reagan III5m

President George H.W. Bush5m

President Bill Clinton13m

President George W. Bush10m

President Barack Obama16m

Conclusion: A Flame Eternal?16m

Who Was the Real JFK9m

1 practice exercise

Final30m

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The Kennedy Half Century

The Kennedy Half Century